How do you read a Navy salary chart?

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Quick Answer

To read a Navy pay chart, first distinguish whether it's an enlisted persons or an officers scale. Enlisted persons charts have alphanumeric indicators beginning with "E;" officer codes begin with "O." Next, read the chart from left to right to observe rates as they increase with pay class.

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In most cases, Navy pay is consistent with rank or time served, a fact consistent with both officers and the enlisted. Typically, as of 2015, Navy charts illustrate enlisted persons as starting off with base salaries of $1,546.80 monthly, with possibilities for raises and advancement after nine months. Subsequent raises become available after the second, third and fourth years respectively. E-5 enlisted, the highest tier, earn $2,580.60.

Officer progression through pay grades is similar, but not exactly the same. For example, an officer experiences the possibility of a raise within the first two years, with advancement through successive ranks coming in roughly one-to-one clusters. Base rank officers make $3,692.10, whereas O-6 level officers make $7,242.90. However, those considering entry into the Navy should calculate compensation beyond mere pay. For officers especially, advantages such as free housing and complimentary health care benefits add thousands to a yearly salary, despite what the pay chart indicates.